Couscous Tuna Tower

Name: Couscous Tuna Tower
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 8 servings.
Ingredients: 1 small onion, chopped; 1 tablespoon canola oil; 2/3 cup uncooked couscous; 1-1/4 cups water; 2 cans (6 ounces each) light water-packed tuna, drained and flaked; 1/3 cup minced fresh parsley; 2 tablespoons capers, drained; 2 tablespoons sliced ripe olives, drained; 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; Dash salt and pepper; 1 tablespoon red wine vinaigrette; 2 cups torn curly endive; 8 thick slices red tomatoes; 8 thick slices yellow tomatoes

These attractive tuna towers will impress your dinner guests. Plus, the cost of ingredients is easy on the wallet.—Jennifer Honeycutt, Nashville, Tennessee

Ingredients

1 small onion, chopped
1 tablespoon canola oil
2/3 cup uncooked couscous
1-1/4 cups water
2 cans (6 ounces each) light water-packed tuna, drained and flaked
1/3 cup minced fresh parsley
2 tablespoons capers, drained
2 tablespoons sliced ripe olives, drained
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Dash salt and pepper
1 tablespoon red wine vinaigrette
2 cups torn curly endive
8 thick slices red tomatoes
8 thick slices yellow tomatoes

Directions

In a small skillet, saute onion in oil until tender. Add couscous; saute 1-2 minutes longer or until couscous is lightly browned. Add water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 8 minutes. Cool slightly.
In a large bowl, combine the couscous mixture, tuna, parsley, capers, olives, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper; set aside.
Pour vinaigrette over endive; toss to coat. On each of eight serving plates, layer a red tomato slice, a yellow tomato slice, 1/2 cup couscous mixture and 1/4 cup endive leaves.

Nutrition Facts

1 each: 150 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 294mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 14g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 starch, 1/2 fat.

Originally published as Couscous Tuna Tower in Holiday & Celebrations Cookbook 2009